Monday, March 10, 2014

Can you spot a minor?

You’ve heard the old adage “looks can be deceiving,” no
doubt. I know I have a hard time telling how old a young person is sometimes
and not to begrudge the latest fashion trends, some of them dress far beyond
their years and wear make up to make them appear much, much older. Click
here to see what make up can do.

During Mardi Gras 2014, the Louisiana Alcohol Tobacco
Control was out in force, particularly on the lookout for bartenders serving
minors. In late February, the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) shared
with members the Mardi
Gras 2014 ATC enforcement notice and safety tips in preparation for the
nearly one million visitors ready to descend on the Bayou State. Each year, the
ATC conducts proactive visits to businesses before carnival season begins to
discuss what the laws are and what the businesses can do to help serve alcohol
responsibly.

Agents then look for minors in possession of alcohol before,
during and after the parades. Underage individuals are sent inside the
businesses located along the parade routes to try and purchase alcohol. Most of
the underage operatives are 17 years old or under and are not allowed to use
fake ID’s.

How prevalent was underage sales of alcohol by alcohol
retailers during the 2014 Carnival Season? Of the 227 agent checks statewide,
69 total sales to minors occurred, or 30 percent. An off the cuff anecdotal
response might be the sheer volume of customers and the need to service them
quickly. Regardless, it takes just a moment to check an ID and the benefits of
doing so far outweigh the consequences.

The LRA offers ServSafe Alcohol, a two-hour
online course, available 24-7 and designed to help you serve alcohol
responsibly and avoid citations, fines and possible license revocation.
ServSafe Alcohol is a vital, practical and current responsible alcohol server
training program that includes Louisiana alcohol regulations, including key
techniques to determine the age of a guest, the reason to ID and the proper way
to check an ID.

ServSafe Alcohol Online is a convenient and easy training
solution that prepares bartenders, servers, hosts, bussers, valets, bouncers
and front of the house staff to effectively and safely handle difficult
situations in the operation.

While New Orleans is known far and wide as a city where you
can get an alcoholic beverage drink with relative ease, proper training and
self-policing your service is critical to reducing the percentage of those
imbibing underage.